Lee residents asked to vote no on artificial turf issue

LEE — Residents of Lee are asked to vote no on Thursday, Nov. 29 on installing artificial turf in Little River Park. Voting beings at the Public Safety Complex from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Artificial turf is expensive to install and must be removed, disposed of and completely replaced every 8 to 10 years at nearly the original cost. To meet expenses, revenue must be generated.

Little River Park will have to become a commercial athletic complex with maximum rentals/hour (requiring night use and high intensity lights), a protective tall chain link fence, specialized maintenance equipment, and irrigation to rinse chemical sanitizers, carpet treatments and reduce excessive field temperatures.

In order to not void warranties, the field cannot be used for any purpose other than sports.

A natural grass field allows for wide open green space, cool rain infiltrating grass, unobstructed views and activity area, low-tech maintenance equipment and skills, use by a wider audience for multiple types of events and a cost-savings of more than a million and a half dollars over a 24 year span.

Lee’s three selectmen oppose installing artificial turf in Little River Park for environmental, fiscal, and public policy reasons.

“At a time when we are all – town included – tightening our belts, reducing debt load, cutting up credit cards, for us to take on such a risky financial burden is not fiscally wise,” Lee Selectman Jim Griswold said.

Lee Selectman Dave Cedarholm estimates that an artificial turf field could cost upwards of $1 million to install and will require at least $100,000 a year to maintain and operate. “All the long-term financial obligations of this facility will fall squarely upon the taxpayers of Lee if not managed as commercial-like team sports facility,” Cedarholm said.

“From a public policy standpoint, an artificial field would shift the conversation and emphasis irrevocably to the detriment of many who will never make use of it. That’s bad public policy and does not serve the Town of Lee well. Environmentally, fiscally and in terms of public policy, this is not the way for Lee to go,” Griswold said.

For more information on why artificial turf is a bad deal for Lee residents, visit: http://keepleegreen.wordpress.com/.